There's something for everyone on this walk, a castle, a picturesque market town, beautiful countryside and a grade 2 listed lakeside garden (Plumpton Rocks). Sadly at the time our visit Plumpton Rocks was closed due to Covid. It didn't detract too much from the walk and we would definitely return to check out the gardens once they open. Please check their website for the latest information if you wish to visit as part of the walk (Plumpton Rocks Website).
THE WALK
This walk starts in the beautiful North Yorkshire market town of Knaresborough. The long stay car park at York Place is just £1.40 for the day and can be found here. After the usual change of footwear and a quick overview of the route we are off. We leave the car park and head into the town centre and onward to the castle grounds, both of which are well signposted.
The castle was first built by a Norman baron in the 1100s on a cliff high above the River Nidd providing spectacular views of the impressive railway viaduct and river itself. Although we were just at the beginning of the walk we took the time to explore the grounds and capture some of the views. From the top there is a winding path down the cliff to the riverside. The riverside is populated with several cafes and places to sit and enjoy the views. Once at the riverside we follow the path south towards the bridge at Bland's Hill.
Cross the bridge, next to Mother Shipton's Inn, and you soon leave the main road and follow the path skirting around Birkham Woods and onward towards Plompton Hall. Plompton Hall is a Grade II listed building designed by the architect John Carr, and built around 1760. The path heads straight for the Hall before redirecting you around the building and across some farm fields and onto a quiet road that takes you to the entrance to Plumpton Rocks.
Plumpton Rocks is a man-made lake and garden designed by Daniel Lascelles. The artist J.M.W. Turner was commissioned by Edward Lascelles, 1st Earl of Harewood, to produce two paintings of the lake and rocks. These now hang at Harewood House. It was also a location for the 2016 film Swallows and Amazons.
The path continues from Plumpton Rocks and takes you across the A66 and across the fields around Braham Hall. The field is distinctive for its strange lumps and bumps and large rock formations. You are now approaching the half way point of the walk and a small stile on your right, just past Crosper Farm, is your turning point for the return walk to Knaresborough.
The path back is very clear, crossing several farm fields and providing views of the rock formations you have just walked through. Follow this path up past Brown Hill Wood to meet the A66 again. Cross the A66 to join the public path that used to be the part of the A66. At the end of this section you cross the A658 to descend back into Knaresborough via Bland's Hill and rejoin the path along the riverside. Please note this stretch of the walk briefly crosses two busy roads and care should always be taken with young children.
You are now on the home straight. Follow the riverside under the Train Viaduct and towards the World's End pub. There are plenty of opportunities on this stretch to enjoy a coffee, ice cream or even a light lunch. At the pub head right and up the hill and then follow the signs to the town centre to pick up the road back to York Place Car Park.
Whilst it was disappointing to not be able to visit Plumpton Rocks this walk does provide some great photo opportunities and scenic views. It's also an opportunity to visit the lovely town of Knaresborough. There are several paths that crisscross one another allowing the walk to be modified to a shorter distance.
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